Crying When Entering The Bedroom

If your baby consistently starts crying at the start of the bedtime routine or as soon as you enter the bedroom, this blog is here to help you understand why. We’ll explore some of the common reasons behind this behaviour and more importantly, share strategies you can start using right away to ease the stress for both of you.

Why is my baby crying when I start the bedtime routine or enter their bedroom?

One of the primary reasons for your baby crying during the bedtime routine or upon entering the bedroom is that they are starting to connect the dots. As they grow older, they begin to understand and recognise the correlation between certain events. In this case, they associate the bedroom with sleep time. Despite the tears and tantrums, this signifies a significant milestone achieved by your baby.

Other contributing factors may include the need to adjust bedtime or your baby being either undertired or overtired.

Now that we know why this is happening, what can we do?

Make the bedroom a positive space

To transform your baby's negative association with their bedroom into a positive space, it's important to create a balance between fun and sleep. While the primary purpose of the room is for sleep, you can make it a positive and engaging environment during daytime activities.

During the day, engage in enjoyable activities in their room. Keep the room well-lit to convey that it's not sleep time. You can incorporate simple and fun activities such as singing songs, reading books, playing peek-a-boo, or playing with their favourite toys.

By incorporating these elements, you can gradually help your little one view their bedroom as a positive and inviting space, while still maintaining its intended purpose for sleep. Don't put them in their cot during this time for any reason. They should only be placed into the cot when it's time for sleep.

Adjust your bedtime routine

A bedtime routine is a great way to promote sleep and signal that sleep is near, but sometimes it can be too rushed or too long. A reasonable length is anywhere between 30 - 40 minutes. Here’s a screenshot of the routine I include in my 4–24 Month Sleep Guide, it’s the one I always recommend to families.

Click for tip

After the bath, aim to do everything in your baby’s room (keep the space dim).

Avoid undertiredness or overtiredness

Are you concerned about whether your baby is sleeping too much or not enough during the day? It's important to find the right balance between wake windows and total day sleep for optimal rest. To help you navigate this, here's a guide to follow.

If you find it difficult to expand your child's wake windows, taking them outside can be helpful. Sunlight exposure can provide a natural energy boost because sunlight suppresses melatonin production(the sleep hormone). Additionally, the outdoor environment can provide sensory stimulation with its vibrant colours and soothing sounds of nature, helping to keep your little one alert and engaged.

Do you need help?

If you're experiencing ongoing tears and sleep struggles with your baby, I have the perfect tools and resources to assist you. I offer a downloadable sleep guide and optional plans that provide valuable guidance and support to help you establish consistent naps and achieve 10-12 hour nights. Click here to access the 4-24 month sleep guide and plans that can help address your concerns.

---

I'm the founder of Babee Dreams, a certified sleep consultant, and a mum of three. Everything I share is from evidence-based research, professional training through The Sleep Consulting Academy, real-life success stories from families I've worked with, and the instincts that come from being a mum.

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised guidance regarding your baby's health and well-being, Babee Dreams does not give medical advice.